MasterCraft in Vonore plans to restart boat production next week, calling back about 175 workers, company President and CEO John Dorton told The Advocate and Democrat.
"This is great news," Dorton said.
The company, which had employed about 600 people this time a year ago, had cut its workforce to about 45 people, Dorton said.

Production had been curtailed then shutdown completely the last few weeks.
But Dorton said a restructuring plan to handle debt and improve cash flow is helping the boat builder move toward building back its dealers' inventories.

Dorton said despite what some reports said, the company was not moving toward bankruptcy, but was experiencing the same cash flow and other problems many other companies are experiencing in the current recession.

Dorton said while bolstered by the company's most recent news, MasterCraft will take a conservative business view through the next few months, however he remains optimistic there will be even more employees put back to work eventually.

Dorton said he is eager to put back to work as many of MasterCraft's loyal employees as possible.
Dorton said MasterCraft is completing a debt payment program with the help of a Minnesota-based company.

"Our company has such a strong name," he said, allowing MasterCraft to improve its future.
The improved cash flow will allow MasterCraft to buy the parts needed for the restart of production.
Dorton said about 40 to 50 percent of the company's workforce is from Monroe County with most of the others from Blount County.

There is the other good news on the local job front.
JTEKT in Vonore recently called back 24 of 140 people who had been furloughed in February, according to Terry Knight, human resources manager for the Vonore factory that employs about 500 people.

"We are optimistic there will be more recalls," Knight said.
JTEKT makes steering components for the auto industry, which has been reeling during the current recession.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101